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Braves edge Angels; Heyward hurts hand

Braves edge Angels; Heyward hurts hand

Evan Gattis (24) celebrates a three-run home run with Jason Heyward (22) of the Atlanta Braves in the first inning against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim at Turner Field on Friday in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/Getty Images)

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ATLANTA — Back-to-back homers from Evan Gattis and Chris Johnson in the opening inning and strong pitching from Aaron Harang helped the Atlanta Braves to a 4-3 win over the Angels at Turner Field.

Gattis belted a three-run shot and Johnson followed with his third of the year, as the Braves snapped a two-game skid.

Harang (5-5) allowed four hits and a run over six innings to win for the first time since May 11 against the Cubs. He had been 0-2 over his previous five starts.

It was also the first win in six career decisions for Harang against the Angels.

C.J. Wilson (7-6) yielded six hits and four runs while fanning eight over six innings for the Angels, who have lost back-to-back contests following a five- game winning streak.

Albert Pujols singled in two runs in the eighth, but the Angels couldn’t come through with two men on base later in the frame. Craig Kimbrel retired the side in order in the ninth for his 19th save.

Jason Heyward was hit on the right hand by a pitch to lead off the bottom of the first. Freddie Freeman walked in between outs before Gattis extended his career-best hitting streak to 13 games by smashing a pitch over the wall in left. Johnson then homered to left-center.

Heyward departed the contest with a right hand contusion. X-rays were negative and he is day-to-day. Jordan Schafer pinch hit for Heyward in the second inning.

The Angels took advantage of Harang’s poor control in the third to trim the deficit. Hank Conger doubled, went to third on a wild pitch and scored when a low-and-outside pitch got away from Gattis.

Kole Calhoun reached safely on an error in the eighth and Mike Trout doubled before Pujols grounded his two-run hit to right. After Josh Hamilton walked, Shae Simmons worked out of trouble by striking out Howie Kendrick and retiring Erick Aybar on a grounder to first.

Game Notes: Wilson had been 6-0 over his previous 11 interleague starts … It was Atlanta’s first win (1-6) against an AL team this season … Both teams were 1-for-6 with men in scoring position.

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